Ocean Blue & Sand-Punta Cana

Well I finally got my confirmation for April 9, 2013!! Super excited and now just have to wait for people to get their deposits in. Anybody know when you have to tell the WC which additions you want to add to the wedding package?

Originally Posted by ntlsnow

Welcome to all the new Ocean Blue Brides! We are filling up the calendar very well... :-)

Hi Ladies !! I have been reading this forums and its so helpful so thank you all information! our weeding date is 7/7/2013 and I just start to look for location.We are think Punta Cana so far. we have four resort that we like so far But I was looking sample packages/prices for Ocean Blue resort. I would like to have no more 30 or 40 people . I want to stick to our budget.

I guess my post dispear:( thank you all information about the restor and we have not decide which one we like the best. I am excited but nervouss about doing destination wedding . We would like no more 30 or maybe 40 people. Our wedding date is 7/7/2013.

Yeah I have found them to be really cheap. I ordered my STD magnets through Vistaprint.. just curious to see whether i can do some other things for cheaper and save on having to pay shipping fees. LOL I am BEYOND cheap!

Originally Posted by Dominican Ally

Vistaprint is SUPER cheap, and sometimes FREE

If you sign up for an account with them, just play around on the site and save things to your portfolio or cart without ordering - they start sending you amazing promo offers. I have gotten some amazing deals on Vistaprint orders - many of them just paying shipping.

Attached Files

I love this! I'm thinking we'll do something similar. I haven't started working on those yet, but I did start creating some mad libs for the guests (in lieu of a guestbook). Those were fun to do...

Originally Posted by Dominican Ally

That was a fantastic deal! I can't wait to see how many people we're going to be having (thinking between 35-50) so that I can start on this OOT bag stuff I already ordered my key card inserts (ordered 250 business cards from Vistaprint! - wayyy too many but I'll just put two in each - back to back so you see the words on both side, and I'll have 150 left over....oh well)

I went to Punta Cana, DR last June (different resort). You do not have to tip by any means BUT I found out that a few dollars goes a long way. For instance, we tipped a great bartender a few times and the rest of the 7 days we were there he always took care of us. Same thing with the maid, we would leave a few dollars everytime we left the room (sometimes a gracias note) and we would have extra towels, extra items in the mini fridge, and one time a beautfil bouquet of flowers from her. So while it is not customary, I would suggest tipping. It doesnt have to be every time you order anything, but a few dollars here and there and they are beyond grateful. They work crazy hours and for 24 days straight I believe so I wore my heart on my sleeve and tipped them. They are very appreciative people. :-)

Hope this helps!

Originally Posted by jlb392

quick question to everyone- I've been hearing conflicting information on tips. some people have said that tips are part of the "all inclusive" room rate, others are saying that you should tip.....

I think this is a matter of opinion and varies by the customs wherever you live and your own personal feelings.

Yes, they are technically included and you are absolutely not REQUIRED to tip.

I always tip-- we bring a couple hundred dollars in singles and tip for drinks, at meals, the maid, and for any one who provides us service that we are appreciative of! The way I see it is that some staff go above and beyond to make your stay great and I personally like to acknowledge that.

There's no real "rules" on tipping- some don't at all, some do only when they receive service that they feel is above and beyond, and some tip for everything (I waitressed for too many years in college and probably over tip for everything). But it shouldn't affect your service either way.

Totally agree with ntlsnow and KristinaM - it's optional but very appreciated. Many of the staff at Ocean Blue work 12 hours days for 10 days straight, so I know many of them are appreciative of the gesture of thanks. We too brought a couple hundred in fives and singles for tips.

(This was all my husband, but am throwing it out there) Baseball is huge in the DR, especially American teams with players from the DR. DH bought 5 Boston and Twins ball caps, which he used as a thank you to a couple of our favorite bartenders and also for bartering at the shops on the beach. They were a huge hit!

That's a great idea. I know for sure the Detroit Tigers have Dominican players on their team and there are plenty of hats around here.

Originally Posted by alittlerandr

Totally agree with ntlsnow and KristinaM - it's optional but very appreciated. Many of the staff at Ocean Blue work 12 hours days for 10 days straight, so I know many of them are appreciative of the gesture of thanks. We too brought a couple hundred in fives and singles for tips.

(This was all my husband, but am throwing it out there) Baseball is huge in the DR, especially American teams with players from the DR. DH bought 5 Boston and Twins ball caps, which he used as a thank you to a couple of our favorite bartenders and also for bartering at the shops on the beach. They were a huge hit!